THEME: Teaching for Impact: Embedding Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Innovation in Higher Education

Institutions of higher learning are considered an extension of society and therefore not immune to global disruptions in technology that continue to reshape the world of work. These disruptions require responsiveness from universities. Therefore, university pedagogy should evolve, and academics should innovate to respond to the changing demands globally. In response to these global disruptions, universities have adopted entrepreneurship as one of the attributes graduates should possess. In this way teaching will create a space for collaboration between academics from the global South and North (across disciplines) as well as industry partners. CUT is proud to host the second annual international teaching week from 24-28 August 2026. The teaching week will be co-hosted by the Faculty of Health and Environmental Health and the Faculty of Engineering Built Environment and Information Technology. 

The instructional week will be framed around the theme of, “Teaching for Impact: embedding entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation in Higher Education” focusing on the following sub-themes:

1. Teaching Agro-Entrepreneurship for food security and climate-resilient urban systems.

2. Entrepreneurial teaching for health innovation and sustainable wellness solutions.

3. Embedding Somatology and wellness entrepreneurship in teaching for sustainable livelihoods.

4. Innovating cities and infrastructure: entrepreneurial teaching in Engineering, IT, and the Built Environment.

5. Creative entrepreneurship for social impact: teaching design, communication, and cultural innovation.

6. Teaching for social innovation: entrepreneurial and sustainable perspectives from the Social Sciences and Humanities.

The International Teaching Week is intended to achieve the following outcomes:

Documented, Impact-Focused Knowledge Exchange

Evidence-based documentation of innovative teaching practices, co-teaching models, and curriculum interventions that embed entrepreneurship and sustainability within discipline-specific contexts.

Strengthened and Strategically Aligned International Partnerships

Consolidation of existing and establishment of new international partnerships focused on collaborative teaching, entrepreneurial education, and sustainable innovation aligned with institutional and global priorities.

Identification of Joint Research and Scholarship Agendas

Clearly articulated joint research interests and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) themes centred on entrepreneurship education, sustainable development, and interdisciplinary innovation.

Expanded Participation in International and Virtual Mobility Initiatives

Increased academic and student engagement in international programmes such as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), virtual exchanges, and blended international teaching initiatives that promote inclusive access.

Enhanced Student Entrepreneurial Competence within Disciplinary Contexts

Improved student understanding of entrepreneurship as a tool for problem-solving, innovation, and sustainable impact within their respective fields of study.

Reflective and Transformative Teaching Practice

Structured staff reflection on innovative pedagogies, interdisciplinary integration, and the effectiveness of entrepreneurial and sustainability-focused teaching approaches in enhancing student learning.

Pathways to Sustainable Collaborative Funding

Identification and initial scoping of opportunities for joint funding applications, including international grants, innovation funding, and development-oriented programmes that support entrepreneurship-driven and sustainable educational initiatives.